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In Worship of Trees

Written and Compiled by George Knowles

Myths, Lore and the Celtic Tree Calendar  /  Birch /  Rowan / Ash /  Alder /  Willow /  Hawthorn /  Oak /  Holly /  Hazel /  Vine /  Ivy /  Reed /  Elder

The Rowan Tree

The Rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia) is one of the sacred trees of Wicca/Witchcraft and of old was a favoured tree of the ancient Druids.  According to the Beth-Luis-Nion calendar, a reconstruction by Robert “von Ranke” Graves (author of The White Goddess), the Rowan tree is the second tree of the ancient Celtic Tree Calendar (21^st January – 17^th February).  As such it is associated with Imbolc (2^nd February) one of the four Greater Sabbats sacred to the Goddess Bridget. 

Native to the cooler temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the greatest density of the species (over 100) can be found up in the mountainous areas of western China, the Himalayas, Russia and the Caucasus mountain ranges - for this reason the Rowan tree is more commonly known as the Mountain Ash.  It is also known by many other names:  Lady of the Mountains, Delight of the Eye, Ran Tree, Roynetree, Roden Quicken, Quickbane, Sorb Apple, Thor’s Helper, Whitty, Wicken-Tree, Wiky, Wiggin, Wiggy, Wild Ash, Witchwood, Witchbane and Witchen.  Botanically the Rowan tree is of the rose family Rosaceae, and of the genus Sorbus. 

Rowan trees are mostly small deciduous trees and while some of its species may be considered a shrub, as a tree it typically grows to between 4-12 m (13-39 ft) in height.  In its common form the Rowan grows as a slim multi-stemmed tree with upwardly pointing branches, the bark of which is a shiny greyish-brown with raised dots or lenticels scattered across it. 

The leaves of the Rowan arrange themselves alternately on either side of a central stem, and they are pinnate in form with a terminal leaflet at the end.  Commonly the stem grows to about 20 cm (7 in) in length and comprises 9-15 leaflets that are serrated with small teeth.  Being a deciduous tree, after shedding its leaves in the winter, new green leaves begin to appear in April, and by autumn turn to a bright orangey red colour, before again being shed for the winter. 

The five-petalled creamy-white flowers of the Rowan tree appear and blossom after its leaves in

The wood of the Rowan tree is dense and tough, and used in the past for making ship’s masts, poles and whips.  Being dense, it is a useful wood for carving and turning, and of old, tool handles, spindles, spinning-wheels, barrel hoops and walking sticks were all commonly made from its wood.  Magically, Rowan wood has traditionally been used for making Druid’s staffs, and its branches used for dowsing or divining.  Magic wands made from Rowan are thought to be especially effective in ritual when psychic intuition is required.  The bark was used for tanning and as a dye, usually black. 

The berries of the Rowan are edible and are used to make a bitter tasting jelly, which in Britain was traditionally eaten as an accompaniment to game.  They can also be used to make jams and other preserves, eaten on their own or combined with other fruits.  At one time they were used as a substitute for coffee beans, but today are more commonly used in alcoholic beverages for added flavour or producing country wines. 

Folklore and Mythology 

Of old, during the month of May, farmers passed all their livestock through a large hoop made

In Scandinavian myths, the first woman was formed from the Rowan tree and the first man from Alder tree.  The red berries of the Rowan were considered sacred by most cultures and are symbolic of the forces of creation - blood, life, death and renewal.  The old peoples of Ireland believed that the Rowan possessed the power to restore lost youth and was guarded by serpents and dragons.  They also associated Rowan with Bridget and Brigantia whose arrows were made from Rowan wood. 

In Aegean/Mediterranean myths, the Rowan is connected to a tale about the drinking cup of Zeus, which was stolen from Olympus.  An eagle was sent to recover the cup and a battle raged with the creatures that stole it.  The legend has it that wherever a drop of blood or feather fell during the battle, a Rowan tree subsequently sprouted.  Similarly, the red berries

Magical Uses:

Rowan wood can be carried and used to increase psychic powers, and its branches used for making dowsing rods or magical wands.  The leaves and berries of the Rowan can be added to incense to aid divination and increase psychic powers.  The bark and berries carried on the person will also aid in recuperation, and was added to health and healing sachets, as well as power, luck and success charms.

Tying two small twigs of Rowan together with red thread in the form of an equal-armed cross is an age-old protective amulet.  Cornish peasants carried these in their pockets for protection; as did Scottish Highlanders sew them into the lining of their kilts before going into battle.  Walking sticks and staffs made from Rowan are excellent tools for those who roam the fields or woods by night, as well as an aid to walking; they offer protection from lightning.  Similarly, when traveling across water, carrying a piece of Rowan will protect the ship from storms at sea. 

When a family member dies, planting a Rowan tree over their grave would prevent their souls from haunting the place.  The red berries of the Rowan have a five-pointed star (pentagram) from were it was attached to the stalk.  The pentagram is an ancient symbol of protection and so carrying the berries in a pocket would protect a person from harm.  Highland women made necklaces of the berries threaded with red thread for protection.  The Rowan was thought to help a person distinguish good from bad, help from harm, and friend from foe.  Spiritually, it protected you from unwanted influences and symbolized beauty, privacy, peace and sanctuary.

The Rowan has deity associations with the gods:  Dagda, Thor, Vulcan, Pan and Herne, and with the

Astrologically, Rowan people (i.e. those people born during the period 21^st Jan – 17^th Feb) are protective and full of charm, cheerful, gifted and without egoism.  They like to draw attention, love life, motion, unrest and even complications.  They are both dependent and independent, have good taste and are artistic and passionate.  While sociable and good company, they can also be emotional, and do not forgive or forget. 

Sources:

Cunningham's Encyclopedia Of Magical Herbs - By Scott Cunningham.

Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft - By Raven Grimassi.

Tree Wisdom: The definitive guidebook to the Myth, Folklore and Healing Power of Trees - By Jacqueline Memory Paterson.

AA Book of Britain's Countryside.

The Penguin Hutchinson Reference Library (CD cassette).

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia (CD cassette).

Plus many websites too numerous to mention.

First published February 2002 - Updated December 2008  ©  George Knowles

Best Wishes and Blessed Be.